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Pakistan's goods transporters and oil tanker operators are set to launch an indefinite nationwide wheel-jam strike on Saturday after negotiations with the government ended without a breakthrough.
According to Dawn, transporters suspended services on Friday night after talks between representatives of transport associations and Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, along with other government officials, failed to resolve key issues. The strike, announced earlier by the unified body of transporters, is expected to disrupt the movement of commercial goods across the country. All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad spokesperson and All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Mohammad Owais Chaudhry said the negotiations concluded without any agreement. "We have informed the government side about the problems we are facing and our concerns," Chaudhry said, adding that the protest would continue until the transporters' demands are accepted, Dawn reported. The report said the strike includes edible oil tanker operators, petroleum oil tanker operators, truckers, trailer operators and other intercity transporters nationwide. Although no agreement was reached, Communications Minister Aleem Khan assured transporters that another round of talks would be held on Monday, according to Dawn. The transporters have said the protest is not symbolic but an indefinite strike. Commercial goods vehicles have already been taken off the roads and parked at designated locations ahead of the agitation. Among their key demands are the uniform implementation of axle-load regulations across Pakistan and permission for 10-wheel vehicles to carry up to 35 tonnes. They have also sought lower diesel prices, reduced motorway toll taxes and relief in withholding tax to ease financial pressure on the transport sector. Additionally, the transporters have demanded the withdrawal of customs provisions allowing authorities to confiscate vehicles carrying goods found in violation of customs laws, an end to what they describe as excessive fines on highways, revocation of the Punjab Highway Patrol's authority to issue challans to commercial vehicles, and easier issuance of heavy transport vehicle licences to drivers. (ANI)
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